NEGOTIATING ON SOCIAL SPACE IN AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ
NEGOTIATING ON SOCIAL SPACE IN AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ

Summary/Abstract: International military forces’ withdrawal from Afghanistan and Iraq, although announced and anticipated in the near future, would be complete only after having evaluated the conditions in the field (condition based) and after having obtained firm guarantees on democracy and on the existence of an appropriate security environment. As this represents a strategic request and objective, at operational level, post-conflict negotiation of social space has become a challenge and the first priority of military commands on the ground in respect to their mission and interest in security. In a comprehensive approach, security interests are closely related with the provision of a certain level of social and economical development of the society and an efficient management of the communication of the responsibilities and tasks that should be taken by the local governments and institutions, by communities and individuals. From a pragmatic and functional perspective, the military actions in the two operation theatres are now coordinated by an overarching communication policy that includes all structures and military functions and all the levels command. The stabilization and reconstruction strategy is now based on communication, on a fruitful exploitation in the advantage of local governments and communities of the results achieved by reconciliation, cooperation, firm and responsible affirmation of progress and stability. The training of national security forces (by NTM-A and NTMI), the economic relations between countries and different local communities as well the strategic diplomacy conducted by political and military leaders are shaping, in this respect, a complex action puzzle aiming at creating the necessary withdrawal conditions and the international integration of Afghanistan and Iraq. Social space negotiation in Afghanistan and Iraq is a difficult process that doesn’t take place in very clear terms, but the success of a military mission and the hopes for a future peace are depending on its results.

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